Updates - OCLAR / ORCALhttp://www.observatorio.ca/updates/Wed, 23 Nov 2016 01:20:18 +0000en-CASite-Server v6.0.0-13649-13649 (http://www.squarespace.com)This blog contains news articles, links, and commentaries on mining, <br/>migration, and foreign relations related to Canada and Latin America. Este <br/>blog contiene noticias, enlaces y comentarios sobre la minería, la <br/>migración y las relations exteriores relacionadas con Canadá y América <br/>Latina.Liberals ‘seriously’ considering mining ombudsperson, says federal corporate social responsibility adviserMining / MineríaDaniel TubbWed, 23 Nov 2016 01:20:12 +0000https://www.hilltimes.com/2016/11/09/feds-seriously-considering-mining-ombudsman-says-canadas-corporate-social-responsibility-envoy/8669151e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:5834eed2d1758eee1e5299daBy PETER MAZEREEUW
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 12:00 AM
The Liberal government is “seriously reviewing” the creation of an
ombudsperson to investigate Canadian companies implicated in wrongdoing
abroad, says Canada’s corporate social responsibility counsellor for
the extractive sector, Jeffrey Davidson.
After a year of getting its feet wet and dealing with top priorities,
the government has turned its attention to Mr. Davidson’s office and
the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies of the previous
Conservative government, he said in an interview with The Hill Times
last week.
“[They’re] working through how they want to deal with this whole issue:
the CSR issue, the conduct of Canadian companies overseas, not just in
the extractives, but across sectors, and what they should do…above and
beyond what exists,” he said.By PETER MAZEREEUWPUBLISHED : Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 12:00 AMThe Liberal government is “seriously reviewing” the creation of an ombudsperson to investigate Canadian companies implicated in wrongdoing abroad, says Canada’s corporate social responsibility counsellor for the extractive sector, Jeffrey Davidson.

After a year of getting its feet wet and dealing with top priorities, the government has turned its attention to Mr. Davidson’s office and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies of the previous Conservative government, he said in an interview with The Hill Times last week.

“[They’re] working through how they want to deal with this whole issue: the CSR issue, the conduct of Canadian companies overseas, not just in the extractives, but across sectors, and what they should do…above and beyond what exists,” he said.

Justin Trudeau and the Sludge of Canadian Mining CompaniesMining / MineríaDaniel TubbWed, 23 Nov 2016 01:19:01 +0000http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/04/opinion/justin-trudeau-and-the-sludge-of-canadian-mining-companies.html?mtrref=undefined&gwh=E31F79BA409BD6E037784B45BA3844AF&gwt=pay&assetType=opinion51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:5834ee8bebbd1a49b8b26069NY Times
MONTREAL — “Canada is back,” says Justin Trudeau, the charismatic and
bilingual prime minister of Canada, at international gatherings,
seeking to showcase the imprint he wants to put on Canadian foreign
policy in contrast to that of his predecessor, Stephen Harper. The
prime minister has used very precise terms in his speeches: justice,
environmental care, democracy and human rights. He even dared to invoke
some of them during his official visit to China in September, although
the Chinese did not applaud him for it.NY Times

MONTREAL — “Canada is back,” says Justin Trudeau, the charismatic and bilingual prime minister of Canada, at international gatherings, seeking to showcase the imprint he wants to put on Canadian foreign policy in contrast to that of his predecessor, Stephen Harper. The prime minister has used very precise terms in his speeches: justice, environmental care, democracy and human rights. He even dared to invoke some of them during his official visit to China in September, although the Chinese did not applaud him for it.

Canada’s Time in Latin AmericaRelations / RelacionesDaniel TubbWed, 23 Nov 2016 01:18:58 +0000http://www.thedialogue.org/blogs/2016/11/canadas-time-in-latin-america/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:5834ee5dcd0f68eb00334dadNov 11 2016 Voces
The liberal values of free trade and multiculturalism might be in retreat
in the United States after the election of Donald Trump, but they are alive
and well in Canada. A year after taking office, Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau will visit Cuba and Argentina beginning on November 15, before
attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima,
Peru. This trip is an opportunity for Canada to increase its standing in
Latin America, and for Trudeau to promote the principles and interests of
his country –the world’s 10th largest economy– in the hemisphere.Nov 11 2016 Voces

The liberal values of free trade and multiculturalism might be in retreat in the United States after the election of Donald Trump, but they are alive and well in Canada. A year after taking office, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit Cuba and Argentina beginning on November 15, before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru. This trip is an opportunity for Canada to increase its standing in Latin America, and for Trudeau to promote the principles and interests of his country –the world’s 10th largest economy– in the hemisphere.

Enough talk, Canada needs extractive industries ombudspersonMining / MineríaDaniel TubbWed, 02 Nov 2016 15:55:59 +0000http://www.hilltimes.com/2016/11/02/enough-talk-canada-needs-extractive-industries-ombudsperson/8607651e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:581a0c95e3df282e87fc4dbaBy Jean Symes, The Hill Times, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016
The Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability has just released
proposed legislation that would accomplish just that.
At least 44 people killed. More than 400 people injured. Hundreds more
repressed and criminalized for defending their land, their health, and
their livelihoods.
These figures are not from a war, although often it feels that way to
those whose lives are being described.
Rather, these shocking details of human rights abuses were all
connected with the activities of Canadian mining companies, throughout
13 countries in Latin America. And they represent barely the “tip of
the iceberg.”
This according to The “Canada Brand,” a report released last week by
the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project out of York
University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.By Jean Symes, The Hill Times, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016

The Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability has just released proposed legislation that would accomplish just that.

At least 44 people killed. More than 400 people injured. Hundreds more repressed and criminalized for defending their land, their health, and their livelihoods.

These figures are not from a war, although often it feels that way to those whose lives are being described.

Rather, these shocking details of human rights abuses were all connected with the activities of Canadian mining companies, throughout 13 countries in Latin America. And they represent barely the “tip of the iceberg.”

This according to The “Canada Brand,” a report released last week by the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project out of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.

Guatemalans Appeal Case Against Tahoe Resources Mining Firm in Canadian courtMining / MineríaDaniel TubbTue, 01 Nov 2016 23:16:02 +0000http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/11/01/guatemalans-appeal-case-against-tahoe-resources-mining-firm-canadian-court51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:581922383e00be2eafdd5464Today, the British Columbia Court of Appeals in Vancouver, Canada will
revisit a procedural motion in the case of seven Guatemalans who have
brought a civil suit for battery and negligence against Tahoe Resources.
The suit concerns the mining company’s role in a violent attack in April
2013, when Tahoe’s private security opened fire on peaceful protesters
outside the controversial Escobal silver mine in southeastern Guatemala.
Video footage shows that the protestors were shot at close range while
attempting to flee.Today, the British Columbia Court of Appeals in Vancouver, Canada will revisit a procedural motion in the case of seven Guatemalans who have brought a civil suit for battery and negligence against Tahoe Resources. The suit concerns the mining company’s role in a violent attack in April 2013, when Tahoe’s private security opened fire on peaceful protesters outside the controversial Escobal silver mine in southeastern Guatemala. Video footage shows that the protestors were shot at close range while attempting to flee.

The “Canada Brand”: Violence and Canadian Mining Companies in Latin AmericaMining / MineríaDaniel TubbTue, 01 Nov 2016 23:14:21 +0000https://justice-project.org/the-canada-brand-violence-and-canadian-mining-companies-in-latin-america/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:581921d39de4bbcf7322a9f7The “Canada Brand”: Violence and Canadian Mining Companies in Latin America
Executive Summary
The Justice and Corporate Accountability Project has documented troubling
incidents of violence associated with Canadian mining companies in Latin
America. In general, neither the Canadian government nor industry are
monitoring or reporting on these incidents.
What we found about the degree of violence and criminalization from
2000-2015.The “Canada Brand”: Violence and Canadian Mining Companies in Latin America

Executive SummaryThe Justice and Corporate Accountability Project has documented troubling incidents of violence associated with Canadian mining companies in Latin America. In general, neither the Canadian government nor industry are monitoring or reporting on these incidents.

What we found about the degree of violence and criminalization from 2000-2015.

Protesters set fire to mining camp in southern PeruMining / MineríaDaniel TubbTue, 01 Nov 2016 23:12:25 +0000http://perureports.com/2016/10/19/protesters-set-fire-mining-camp-southern-peru/?utm_source=Active+Subscribers&utm_campaign=fef052c540-MR_10212016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_35c49cbd51-fef052c540-6421846951e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:5819215f20099e33f320a870Protesters set fire to mining camp in southern Peru Photo credit:
Correo / Rudy Huallpa
Hundreds of protesters opposed to mining in their rural province
fought police and set fire to a Canadian-owned exploration camp in
the southern state of Puno on Tuesday.
Residents of the Orurillo district in Puno’s Melgar province
announced a two-day protest for Tuesday and Wednesday against
exploration activities by Solex del Peru, a subsidiary of Canadian
miner Caracara Silver.
“They want to get a mining job which affects the district. They’ve
started with the mining camp without conducing informational
workshops, so on Tuesday and Wednesday a strike will take place in
Orurillo,” Ricardo Noriega, an environmental lawyer leading the
movement, told Correo. Noriega added that the strike would be
peaceful and protesters would not try to block roads.
“But we must also be ready so nothing happens where, as we have
seen, the police themselves infiltrate [the protest] to commit
violent acts,” Noriega said.Protesters set fire to mining camp in southern Peru Photo credit: Correo / Rudy Huallpa

Hundreds of protesters opposed to mining in their rural province fought police and set fire to a Canadian-owned exploration camp in the southern state of Puno on Tuesday.

Residents of the Orurillo district in Puno’s Melgar province announced a two-day protest for Tuesday and Wednesday against exploration activities by Solex del Peru, a subsidiary of Canadian miner Caracara Silver.

“They want to get a mining job which affects the district. They’ve started with the mining camp without conducing informational workshops, so on Tuesday and Wednesday a strike will take place in Orurillo,” Ricardo Noriega, an environmental lawyer leading the movement, told Correo. Noriega added that the strike would be peaceful and protesters would not try to block roads.

“But we must also be ready so nothing happens where, as we have seen, the police themselves infiltrate [the protest] to commit violent acts,” Noriega said.

Why Canada should work to strengthen its ties to MexicoRelations / RelacionesDaniel TubbTue, 01 Nov 2016 23:11:06 +0000http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/globe-politics-insider/why-canada-should-work-to-strengthen-its-ties-to-mexico/article32360150/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:5819211020099e33f320a34bCOLIN ROBERTSON
A former diplomat, Colin Robertson is vice-president and fellow at the
Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
The Trudeau Government should prioritize its strategic partnership with
Mexico. The June visit of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to
Quebec City, Toronto and Ottawa set a plan for closer collaboration.
Both nations need to deliver on specific initiatives, especially those
that emphasize our people-to-people ties.COLIN ROBERTSON

A former diplomat, Colin Robertson is vice-president and fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

The Trudeau Government should prioritize its strategic partnership with Mexico. The June visit of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to Quebec City, Toronto and Ottawa set a plan for closer collaboration. Both nations need to deliver on specific initiatives, especially those that emphasize our people-to-people ties.

Minister Dion to travel to Mexico, Guatemala and HondurasRelations / RelacionesDaniel TubbTue, 01 Nov 2016 23:09:04 +0000http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=113539951e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:58192096e4fcb5b114835b28October 10, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today
announced that he will travel to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras from
October 12 to 14, 2016.
While in Mexico, Minister Dion will attend the first Canada-Mexico
High-Level Strategic Dialogue as part of Canada’s renewed partnership
with Mexico. Minister Dion will also meet with Claudia Ruiz Massieu,
Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to discuss how to strengthen the
ties between the two countries.October 10, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that he will travel to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras from October 12 to 14, 2016.

While in Mexico, Minister Dion will attend the first Canada-Mexico High-Level Strategic Dialogue as part of Canada’s renewed partnership with Mexico. Minister Dion will also meet with Claudia Ruiz Massieu, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to discuss how to strengthen the ties between the two countries.

What does “Canada is back” mean in the Americas?Relations / RelacionesDaniel TubbTue, 01 Nov 2016 23:04:25 +0000https://aulablog.net/2016/10/05/what-does-canada-is-back-mean-in-the-americas/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:58191f7e46c3c4a6054193f3By Stephen Baranyi*
Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and his cabinet ministers’
statements following their election in October 2015 that “Canada is
back” reflect a global strategy that is likely to give a boost to
Canada-Latin America relations. Canada never “left” the Americas
during the decade of Conservative governments led by Prime Minister
Harper, but the new administration is patching up its predecessors’
mixed record. Building on the Americas Strategy launched in 2007,
Ottawa signed new bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru
and others; broadened its engagement in regional security affairs; and
greatly increased its whole-of-government engagement in Haiti. Canada
played a major role at the Summit of the Americas in Panama (April
2015) and hosted the Pan American Games (July 2015). Yet the
revelation of Canada’s espionage in Brazil, visa restrictions on
Mexicans, the poor reputation of some Canadian mining firms in the
region, and its inability to reach a trade agreement with the Caribbean
Community fed a growing desencanto in Canada’s relations with the
region.By Stephen Baranyi*

Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and his cabinet ministers’ statements following their election in October 2015 that “Canada is back” reflect a global strategy that is likely to give a boost to Canada-Latin America relations. Canada never “left” the Americas during the decade of Conservative governments led by Prime Minister Harper, but the new administration is patching up its predecessors’ mixed record. Building on the Americas Strategy launched in 2007, Ottawa signed new bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru and others; broadened its engagement in regional security affairs; and greatly increased its whole-of-government engagement in Haiti. Canada played a major role at the Summit of the Americas in Panama (April 2015) and hosted the Pan American Games (July 2015). Yet the revelation of Canada’s espionage in Brazil, visa restrictions on Mexicans, the poor reputation of some Canadian mining firms in the region, and its inability to reach a trade agreement with the Caribbean Community fed a growing desencanto in Canada’s relations with the region.

The peace deal between the Colombian government and the FARC: can Canada play a role?Relations / RelacionesDaniel TubbWed, 28 Sep 2016 14:47:51 +0000http://www.hilltimes.com/2016/09/26/peace-deal-colombian-government-farc-can-canada-play-role/81488?ct=t(RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN)&goal=0_8edecd9364-76e24fb9d7-90765517&mc_cid=76e24fb9d7&mc_eid=0c5e52afdb51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57ebd81ce58c620756780d01By GAëL PETILLON, PASCAL PARADIS, PHILIPPE TREMBLAY
PUBLISHED : Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 12:05 PM
On August 24 2016, after nearly four years of negotiations in Havana,
Cuba, the Colombian government and the left-wing Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) formally announced they had reached a peace
agreement, the content of which would to be submitted to popular vote
through a plebiscite scheduled for October 2. Provided the peace deal
is endorsed in the ballot box, members of the FARC would be expected to
start demobilizing before the end of the year.
On Monday, Sept. 26, Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion will travel
to Cartagena to witness the historical signing of the peace deal. By GAëL PETILLON, PASCAL PARADIS, PHILIPPE TREMBLAY

PUBLISHED : Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 12:05 PM

On August 24 2016, after nearly four years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba, the Colombian government and the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) formally announced they had reached a peace agreement, the content of which would to be submitted to popular vote through a plebiscite scheduled for October 2. Provided the peace deal is endorsed in the ballot box, members of the FARC would be expected to start demobilizing before the end of the year.

On Monday, Sept. 26, Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion will travel to Cartagena to witness the historical signing of the peace deal.

Will Canada speak up for the disappeared in Mexico?Relations / RelacionesDaniel TubbWed, 28 Sep 2016 14:47:11 +0000http://ipolitics.ca/2016/09/26/will-canada-speak-up-for-the-disappeared-in-mexico/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57ebd7f5e58c620756780afaKathy Price
It was an arresting image: two smiling heads of state jogging together
across an Ottawa bridge in shorts and t-shirts.
Justin Trudeau’s much-photographed run with Mexican President Enrique
Peña Nieto during Nieto’s state visit to Canada in June was meant to
convey an important message. Canada has a close friendship with Mexico,
the PM has said on several occasions, describing it as a partnership
based on shared values and cemented through new agreements for
collaboration, not to mention growing trade and investment.Kathy Price

It was an arresting image: two smiling heads of state jogging together across an Ottawa bridge in shorts and t-shirts.

Justin Trudeau’s much-photographed run with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto during Nieto’s state visit to Canada in June was meant to convey an important message. Canada has a close friendship with Mexico, the PM has said on several occasions, describing it as a partnership based on shared values and cemented through new agreements for collaboration, not to mention growing trade and investment.

How a Russian mining company used a Canadian investment treaty to sue Venezuela for $1.5 billionMining / MineríaDaniel TubbTue, 20 Sep 2016 17:30:26 +0000http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/08/24/russian-mining-company-using-canadian-investment-treaty-wins-1-5-bil-from-venezuela/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57e17237c534a5faba57c636Rusoro Mining declared victory yesterday in its four-year legal battle
with the government of Venezuela over the nationalization of the gold
industry in 2011. The company was awarded US$1.2 billion ($1.5B) by the
World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
(ICSID).
The dispute began in 2011, when then-president Hugo Chavez nationalized
the Venezuelan gold industry. Despite initially cooperating with the
government, Rusoro later claimed that its right to mine was
expropriated without compensation. In 2012, the company launched an
investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) case against Venezuela under
the terms of the Canada-Venezuela Foreign Investment Protection
Agreement, demanding $3 billion from the government for ending its
mining concessions.Rusoro Mining declared victory yesterday in its four-year legal battle with the government of Venezuela over the nationalization of the gold industry in 2011. The company was awarded US$1.2 billion ($1.5B) by the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

The dispute began in 2011, when then-president Hugo Chavez nationalized the Venezuelan gold industry. Despite initially cooperating with the government, Rusoro later claimed that its right to mine was expropriated without compensation. In 2012, the company launched an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) case against Venezuela under the terms of the Canada-Venezuela Foreign Investment Protection Agreement, demanding $3 billion from the government for ending its mining concessions.

Mexico environmental agency defends oversight of Goldcorp mineMining / MineríaDaniel TubbTue, 20 Sep 2016 17:29:25 +0000http://www.reuters.com/article/us-goldcorp-leak-idUSKCN11400751e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57e171fac534a5faba57c2a9Mexico's environmental prosecutor said it had kept regular oversight of the
country's largest gold mine, days after a Reuters report on a prolonged
leak of contaminated water there prompted activists to accuse the agency of
failing its mandate.
Environmental prosecutor Profepa said that since 2013 it had completed five
"administrative proceedings" on the Penasquito mine in Zacatecas state,
which is owned by Canada's Goldcorp Inc.
It did not say whether the proceedings were related to the leakMexico's environmental prosecutor said it had kept regular oversight of the country's largest gold mine, days after a Reuters report on a prolonged leak of contaminated water there prompted activists to accuse the agency of failing its mandate.

Environmental prosecutor Profepa said that since 2013 it had completed five "administrative proceedings" on the Penasquito mine in Zacatecas state, which is owned by Canada's Goldcorp Inc.

Peru: Maxima Acuña and Partner Attacked by Mining Firm's GuardsMining / MineríaDaniel TubbTue, 20 Sep 2016 17:02:38 +0000http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Peru-Maxima-Acuna-and-Partner-Attacked-by-Mining-Firms-Guards-20160918-0018.html51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57e16bb4b8a79b25269c460cPeru's internationally-renowned environmentalist Maxima Acuña and her
partner were severely hurt Sunday morning in an attack by alleged hitmen
hired by the mining company they are fighting against, reported Acuña's
daughter.
At around 9.30 a.m. local time, “people hired by mining firm Yanacocha
illegally broke into the property and started damaging the lot with various
tools,” said Ysidora Chaupe, daughter of Acuña and Jaime ChaupePeru's internationally-renowned environmentalist Maxima Acuña and her partner were severely hurt Sunday morning in an attack by alleged hitmen hired by the mining company they are fighting against, reported Acuña's daughter.

At around 9.30 a.m. local time, “people hired by mining firm Yanacocha illegally broke into the property and started damaging the lot with various tools,” said Ysidora Chaupe, daughter of Acuña and Jaime Chaupe

Honduran activist wants Trudeau to pressure Canadian mining companies on human rights abusesMining / MineríaDaniel TubbThu, 18 Aug 2016 19:42:53 +0000https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/08/16/honduran-activist-wants-trudeau-to-pressure-canadian-mining-companies-on-human-rights-abuses.html51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57b60fc25016e1b55cf363a2Father Melo fears he may soon be a target of assassination. His home
country is both one of the most dangerous in the world for activists
and fertile ground for Canadian investment.ather Melo fears he may soon be a target of assassination. His home country is both one of the most dangerous in the world for activists and fertile ground for Canadian investment.

Maduro says Venezuela signs $4.5 billion in deals that include Canadian and U.S. minersMining / MineríaDaniel TubbThu, 18 Aug 2016 19:41:16 +0000http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-mining-idUSKCN10R2N7?il=051e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57b60f6220099e95222826b3President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday that Venezuela had struck $4.5
billion in mining deals with foreign and domestic companies, part of
plan to lift the OPEC nation's economy out of a deep recession causing
food shortages and social unrest.
Maduro said the deals were with Canadian, South African, U.S. and
Venezuelan companies, but did not specify whether contracts had been
signed or just initial agreements.
The socialist leader, whose popularity hit a nine-month low in a survey
published this week, said he expected $20 billion in mining investment
contracts to be signed in coming days and that 60 percent of the income
Venezuela received would be spent on social projectsPresident Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday that Venezuela had struck $4.5 billion in mining deals with foreign and domestic companies, part of plan to lift the OPEC nation's economy out of a deep recession causing food shortages and social unrest.

Maduro said the deals were with Canadian, South African, U.S. and Venezuelan companies, but did not specify whether contracts had been signed or just initial agreements.

The socialist leader, whose popularity hit a nine-month low in a survey published this week, said he expected $20 billion in mining investment contracts to be signed in coming days and that 60 percent of the income Venezuela received would be spent on social projects

A Toronto legal aid group is calling on the American securities regulator to investigate a Canadian mining company for failing to disclose a secret lawsuit aimed at preventing a referendum on its silver mine.

Even though the 2011 suit was rejected by the Constitutional Court of Guatemala — permitting a vote that overwhelmingly rejected the mine — local human rights groups say the mine’s parent company, Vancouver-based Tahoe Resources, failed in its legal obligation to disclose the lawsuit to investors.

He was an unlikely pick for president. How will Pedro Pablo Kuczynski govern Peru?Relations / RelacionesDaniel TubbTue, 09 Aug 2016 18:24:00 +0000https://www.opencanada.org/features/he-was-unlikely-pick-president-how-will-pedro-pablo-kuczynski-govern-peru/51e5b274e4b0dbb11fbe2f63:51e5b49ae4b0ab6dfb7e7948:57aa1fc5ebbd1a85743c2470BY: CHRISTIAN MEDINA-RAMIREZ / JULY 28, 2016
Alberto Fujimori is remembered as a grass-roots politician who waged a
violent counterinsurgency campaign against Maoist rebels known as the
Shinning Path and tamed crippling hyperinflation in the ’90s. He was also
responsible for encouraging large-scale mining projects in conjunction with
foreign conglomerates through mining-friendly legislation and a near-zero
royalties policy. The mining and resource extraction sector now makes up
for the bulk of the Peruvian economy.BY: CHRISTIAN MEDINA-RAMIREZ / JULY 28, 2016

Alberto Fujimori is remembered as a grass-roots politician who waged a violent counterinsurgency campaign against Maoist rebels known as the Shinning Path and tamed crippling hyperinflation in the ’90s. He was also responsible for encouraging large-scale mining projects in conjunction with foreign conglomerates through mining-friendly legislation and a near-zero royalties policy. The mining and resource extraction sector now makes up for the bulk of the Peruvian economy.